The state of Nebraska provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.

  • Housing Benefits
  • Financial Assistance Benefits
  • Education Benefits
  • Other State Veteran Benefits

Nebraska Veteran Housing Programs

Property Tax/Homestead Exemption
A homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the valuation of the homestead from taxation. The state of Nebraska reimburses the counties and other governmental subdivisions for the taxes lost due to homestead exemptions.

Learn more about the Property Tax/Homestead Exemption

Nebraska Financial Assistance Benefits

Nebraska Veterans' Aid Fund
The NVA Fund was established in 1921. This temporary emergency aid fund assists veterans, their spouses, and dependents when an unforeseen emergency occurs disrupting their normal method of living and when other resources are not immediately available. For NVA purposes, veteran means any person who
All income from the Fund is used for aid and not for administrative expenses of the fund. Aid can only be used for food, fuel, shelter, wearing apparel, funeral, medical, and surgical items. Application must be made through the County Service Officer or post Service Officer of any recognized veterans' organization in the county nearest the applicant's place of residence and submitted to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Learn more about the Nebraska Veterans' Aid Fund

Nebraska Education Benefits

Waiver of Tuition
The University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and community colleges on behalf of any eligible child, spouse, widow or widower that meets the following requirements may waive tuition. He or she is a resident of this state and meets the appropriate institutions requirements for paying in-state tuition. He or she has a parent, stepparent or spouse who was a member of the armed forces of the United States and who: (1) Died of a service connected disability; (2) Died subsequent to discharge as a result of injury or illness sustained while in service; (3) Is permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service; (4) Is classified as missing in action or as a prisoner of war during armed hostilities after August 4, 1964. The waiver shall be valid for one degree, diploma, or certificate from a community college and one baccalaureate degree. Applications are submitted to the Department of Veterans' Affairs by contacting the County Veterans Service Officer nearest the applicant’s place of residence.

Learn more about the Waiver of Tuition

Other Nebraska State Veteran Benefits

Game & Parks Commission
Disabled Veterans are eligible for the Veteran Disabled Permits (good for life, no renewal).

Learn more about Veteran Disabled Permits

Nebraska Veterans' Service Office
The function of the State Service Office is to interview military veterans, their spouses, and dependents to establish tentative eligibility for veterans' benefits provided by federal and state laws; to advise applicants with claims before the US Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA); and to assist them in the accurate completion of application forms and transmit them to the proper federal or state agency for processing. State Service Officers are recognized representatives for the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Ex-POWs, Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Retired Enlisted Association and the National Association of County Service Officers and are authorized to accept Power of Attorneys from claimants on behalf of the organizations. State Service Officers are located at the VA Regional Office, Lincoln.

Learn more about the Nebraska Veterans' Service Office

Discharges
The Department has approximately 700,000 discharges of Nebraska veterans on microfilm. If a veteran entered from and returned to Nebraska upon separation from military service, a copy of the discharge may be on file in the Department. Documents previously filed with the Selective Service System and National Guard were referred to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Since October 1, 1979, if requested by the service-member, Military Separation Centers have sent a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from active duty (DD214) to the Department.

Learn more about Discharges

Grave Registration
The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall preserve a permanent registry of the graves of all persons who shall have served in the Armed Forces of the U.S. in time of war and whose mortal remains rest in Nebraska. Information concerning the registry can be obtained from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or a County Service Officer.

Learn more about Grave Registration